Plan ahead for Surf Coast visit Ballarat revellers told

SURF Coast police have cautioned Ballarat residents travelling to the beach this week to plan ahead.

Torquay Acting Senior Sargeant Craig Stevens said police will be out in force, with extra units called in to patrol New Year celebrations through to Lorne.

Acting Senior Sargeant Stevens said traffic along the coast was already hectic.

He urged Ballarat visitors and campers to concentrate and take appropriate rest stops to arrive safely and enjoy time at the beach.

“One thing relevant to Ballarat people is to make sure they’ve got somewhere to stay – there is no sleeping in vehicles or camping in public places allowed on the Surf Coast,” Acting Senior Sargeant Stevens told The Courier.

“We’re promoting a family environment down here,” he said.

“We encourage everyone to come down but behave themselves.”

A large police contingent – including plain-clothed officers, the mounted branch, operational response branch in Melbourne and the highway patrol – will be out from early this morning leading into New Year’s Eve celebrations and deep into New Year’s Day tomorrow.

Acting Senior Sargeant Stevens said police were especially enforcing the no alcohol in public places ban this summer, and those found with alcohol will be served hefty fines.

The Weatherzone forecast for Torquay today is for a mostly sunny day with a top temperature of 26 degrees and a low of 10 degrees overnight.

The forcast for New Year’s Day on the Surf Coast tomorrow is for a mostly sunny day with a maximum of 26 degrees and a minimum of 13 degrees.